The fight is the first official contest for Bellator 40, which takes place at the First Council Casino in Newkirk, Okla., and airs live on MTV2.

“Ben’s been completely dominant in every fight he’s had under the Bellator banner, and Nick has run the MMA gauntlet in his career, fighting everywhere and everyone,” Bellator chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney stated in today’s release. “He will be a fantastic test for Ben.”

A two-time Division I wrestling champion and 2008 Olympian, Askren carries a perfect record into the matchup. Askren defeated Ryan Thomas (twice) and Dan Hornbuckle en route to his season-two tournament title before earning a unanimous decision over Lyman Good to claim Bellator’s welterweight title.

In Thompson, Askren will face an opponent with more than seven times as many career fights. Still, the champion is unconcerned.

“I come to fight every single time,” Askren stated. “Whether you’re good or you’re bad, I still want to smash you, and it’s going to be the same thing when I fight Nick Thompson.

“It doesn’t matter what his record is, I’m looking to kick his ass.”

Thompson fights for the first time under the Bellator banner, and “The Goat” looks to break a recent streak that has seem his drop three consecutive contests.

Relying on career experience that spans from the UFC to EliteXC, Sengoku, BodogFIGHT and beyond, Thompson believes he holds the edge in the matchup.

“I think the biggest advantage for me in this fight with Ben is the fact that I’ve fought more than 50 fights,” Thompson. “I’ve fought in every organization, I’ve fought against the best fighters in the world, and I’ve been ranked in the top-10. Ben hasn’t been there.

“I plan on hitting him like he’s never been hit before, and I’m excited to find out how he’s going to react.”

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